I knew that if I just let this blog post simmer for another 24 hours something good would happen! And now you actually get to read something more interesting than, "So it's Sunday, I did homework and studied for midterms."
Come on! How boring is that? There aren't even any acronyms or anything. Snoresville (or should I say Schnoor in honor of the Larry Schnoor Invitational this weekend? Congrats to all, by the way. Super proud of my Gusties!) So instead of boring you to tears telling you about how I'm going to compare and contrast Minoan and Mycenaean architecture and sculpture, I decided to just hold off for a bit and hope that something spectacular would happen in the mean time.
And whatdoya know, it did. So yippee!
So remember last Thursday when Erica and I went to that concert of Kozmic Blues with that guy playing the guitar and the girl who was amazing? Yeah, remember that? Ok great, because we came back late that night and basically scoured the internet for them. Luckily, they have a myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/ginafabiani) and we listen to it ALL the time (just like you should) and found a way that we could purchase a CD (or two). But the tricky part is that there isn't just a "buy itunes CD here" button. So through various channels, we finally found an email address that said "contact us here to buy CDs!" Erica and I are thinking, ok, sold.
The next morning I pull up that email address and write a nice little note about how we had seen them at the Ombre Rosse and would love to purchase/download CDs. Later that day, Daniele (he's the guitarist) wrote back saying that they only have hard copies of the CD but he would love to mail one to us. Great! Take a poll of the room-grand total? 8 CDs.
Needless to say, Daniele thought we were super fans and wrote back today that not only would he take off a little bit because we're so dedicated, but he would also like to invite us to their next performance! AH! So fantastic! It's a different group, Daniele and Gina and two more, singing gospel instead of blues, but it's going to be so awesome! So I'm thinking that we may or may not be considered groupies now. File that one under things I don't mind.
Seriously. That was what made my day. Other than that, we've been studying, cramming, and otherwise indulging in cupcakes. You only need be mostly jealous of my life. I'll let you know how those 3 midterms on the same day go. Woof.
Showing posts with label Blues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blues. Show all posts
Monday, October 17, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Music, hairdryers, and mixers-Oh My!
There are probably 3 things you should know about this Thursday.
1) There was a "Battle of the Bands" type thing going on in the Piazza Santa Maria Novella. They pretty much covered all ranges of music.
2) There was a hairdryer and an electric mixer involved.
3) Then we went to our favorite Thursday spot and listened to some awesome blues by Kosmic Blues.
If that doesn't sound like the perfect Thursday night to you, then you just aren't as cool as we are. And that's just too bad.
Erica and I decided that this is the only fun we will be having until midterms are over, so seize the day and go have some fun! So out we go, in our tennis shoes, and wait for a bit while the Italian times catch up to where the rest of the world is and the 'concert' starts about 45ish minutes late. So we wander a bit, watch people, find our future boy friends (slim pickings here. That's sad.) and eventually stand around and enjoy not being able to understand anything said on stage. But that's ok! Welcome to Italy!
Best part of the concert (that we attended): Super-techno. That involved instruments that aren't really instruments. How? See #2. This group of people get onstage with a trashcan, a hair dryer, a sign (like the kind that reminds you that you aren't supposed to be going that fast... Cadi....Although I should probably yell at Kris first... Brucetifer....) and what appears to be a guitar hero guitar. Fact of the matter is that it is not a guitar hero guitar, it's something much classier. It's one of those children's toys that plays little ditties that go along with nursery rhymes and such... in the shape of a guitar (why does my childhood suddenly feel inadequate? Mom, I could have been a star! Look I'm pretty mama) (If you got that reference, gold stars for you). And suddenly, they being to play. No, it's not the kind of magical thing you'd expect from just a wonderful set up, it's a little bit more, how you say, organic than that. But the hairdryer, and ultimately the electric mixer (I know we use it at my house for the mashed potatoes and things. Not one of those every day cookie kinds of things). That was pretty stellar, as well as a very distinct reminder that it is all in the performance. Showmanship is everything whether you like it or not. Sell it? You win.
After a good long while of wishing that the hairdryer would make a second appearance, we decided to move down the street to our favorite Thursday night joint. Tonight was Kosmic Blues. And although it did not provide the laudable eye-candy, Erica and I agreed that it was the most musically moving performance that we had seen there to date. I will try to post some videos tomorrow. But the short version is that they are awesome and Erica and I are looking into buying stock in their record sales. We had both talked about leaving early, but once we sat down and they started playing there was no way that we were going to leave before they did. We're talking the sultry, gravely, blues that your soul craves and doesn't even know it. So we stayed until midnight, then made our way back home where I began writing this blog post. Don't you feel just so up to date?
Anyway, I'll try to post a video or so on here so you can love them as much as I do. And the good news is that they have a myspace. And that means that there is music to be found, and enjoyed.
Happy Thursday all.
1) There was a "Battle of the Bands" type thing going on in the Piazza Santa Maria Novella. They pretty much covered all ranges of music.
2) There was a hairdryer and an electric mixer involved.
3) Then we went to our favorite Thursday spot and listened to some awesome blues by Kosmic Blues.
If that doesn't sound like the perfect Thursday night to you, then you just aren't as cool as we are. And that's just too bad.
Erica and I decided that this is the only fun we will be having until midterms are over, so seize the day and go have some fun! So out we go, in our tennis shoes, and wait for a bit while the Italian times catch up to where the rest of the world is and the 'concert' starts about 45ish minutes late. So we wander a bit, watch people, find our future boy friends (slim pickings here. That's sad.) and eventually stand around and enjoy not being able to understand anything said on stage. But that's ok! Welcome to Italy!
Best part of the concert (that we attended): Super-techno. That involved instruments that aren't really instruments. How? See #2. This group of people get onstage with a trashcan, a hair dryer, a sign (like the kind that reminds you that you aren't supposed to be going that fast... Cadi....Although I should probably yell at Kris first... Brucetifer....) and what appears to be a guitar hero guitar. Fact of the matter is that it is not a guitar hero guitar, it's something much classier. It's one of those children's toys that plays little ditties that go along with nursery rhymes and such... in the shape of a guitar (why does my childhood suddenly feel inadequate? Mom, I could have been a star! Look I'm pretty mama) (If you got that reference, gold stars for you). And suddenly, they being to play. No, it's not the kind of magical thing you'd expect from just a wonderful set up, it's a little bit more, how you say, organic than that. But the hairdryer, and ultimately the electric mixer (I know we use it at my house for the mashed potatoes and things. Not one of those every day cookie kinds of things). That was pretty stellar, as well as a very distinct reminder that it is all in the performance. Showmanship is everything whether you like it or not. Sell it? You win.
After a good long while of wishing that the hairdryer would make a second appearance, we decided to move down the street to our favorite Thursday night joint. Tonight was Kosmic Blues. And although it did not provide the laudable eye-candy, Erica and I agreed that it was the most musically moving performance that we had seen there to date. I will try to post some videos tomorrow. But the short version is that they are awesome and Erica and I are looking into buying stock in their record sales. We had both talked about leaving early, but once we sat down and they started playing there was no way that we were going to leave before they did. We're talking the sultry, gravely, blues that your soul craves and doesn't even know it. So we stayed until midnight, then made our way back home where I began writing this blog post. Don't you feel just so up to date?
Anyway, I'll try to post a video or so on here so you can love them as much as I do. And the good news is that they have a myspace. And that means that there is music to be found, and enjoyed.
Happy Thursday all.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Melting Harmonicas
It's Thursday!
You know what Thursdays mean? Hmm? Well do you? They mean live music!!
That's right, we went back to the same place we were last Thursday and it was all blues tonight. We're talking a sweet keyboardist, a guy on the guitar who looks like the security guard on the Tiber campus (who looks like Joe from the Princess Diaries for those of you who don't know the security guard on the Tiber campus), a drummer, and (here's the kicker) a singer/harmonica player. Yup. I went there. I said harmonica.
And since it was all blues, it was not only in English, it was all soul. We're talking the kind of twist-that-knife-one-more-time kind of soul that makes you want to dance and let your body melt into a puddle on the floor all at the same time. I'm not sure how many other types of music demand that kind of dichotomous reaction from the listener. But let me tell you, that blues harmonica (there were actually several harmonicas in use throughout the hour and a half production, but we'll lump them together for clarity) just pulls at the center of your chest and won't let go. Talk about an emotional roller coaster.
The biggest let down of the night was that Pretty Boy and Wolverine were not present. Fact: They need to be in every band that performs on Thursday nights. This extreme disappointment was only mildly diminished by the fact that I got to wear my new leather jacket! YAY! It's finally cool enough in the evenings to make it a plausible mode of dress. I'm thrilled, but I do miss Pretty Boy. He was so pretty.
And I think for the moment, that's a wrap. For other wrapping posts, see Tuesday's.
"...hey remember that time..." "Yup, sure do remember that..."
You know what Thursdays mean? Hmm? Well do you? They mean live music!!
That's right, we went back to the same place we were last Thursday and it was all blues tonight. We're talking a sweet keyboardist, a guy on the guitar who looks like the security guard on the Tiber campus (who looks like Joe from the Princess Diaries for those of you who don't know the security guard on the Tiber campus), a drummer, and (here's the kicker) a singer/harmonica player. Yup. I went there. I said harmonica.
And since it was all blues, it was not only in English, it was all soul. We're talking the kind of twist-that-knife-one-more-time kind of soul that makes you want to dance and let your body melt into a puddle on the floor all at the same time. I'm not sure how many other types of music demand that kind of dichotomous reaction from the listener. But let me tell you, that blues harmonica (there were actually several harmonicas in use throughout the hour and a half production, but we'll lump them together for clarity) just pulls at the center of your chest and won't let go. Talk about an emotional roller coaster.
The biggest let down of the night was that Pretty Boy and Wolverine were not present. Fact: They need to be in every band that performs on Thursday nights. This extreme disappointment was only mildly diminished by the fact that I got to wear my new leather jacket! YAY! It's finally cool enough in the evenings to make it a plausible mode of dress. I'm thrilled, but I do miss Pretty Boy. He was so pretty.
And I think for the moment, that's a wrap. For other wrapping posts, see Tuesday's.
"...hey remember that time..." "Yup, sure do remember that..."
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Italian men singing in English... With a banjo...
Really fast post about really fun things! Ready-GO!
Ok, so what I thought was going to be my major accomplishment for the day was managing to de-seed an entire pomegranate. And follow up said feat by eating it. Winner? Yes. Delicious? Yes. Full of antioxidants? Probably. I was very proud of that moment. It was a bucket-lister.
But reality told me that this was going to be no ordinary day where de-seeding and eating a pomegranate would be a triumph, oh no, this was going to be an epic day.
"How epic," you say?
Epic enough to find not only live music in Rome (near by, I might add), but also Folk and Blues live music in Rome.
DING! Winner! It was so cool! So we actually pass this place every day on the way to class, but they have a sweet little set up in the back and it was hopping. One guy was obviously in charge of who was doing what, but there were several little acts-all folk music... In English. Our favorites included: Wolverine (Erica's fav) so named because he looked like Hugh Jackman as Wolverine (good choices) and he played the guitar and bass, "Pretty Boy"-not an adequate title for this beautiful man, tall and lanky with the one stray dark curl. We originally called him "Married Boy" but turns out that it wasn't a wedding band after all. Anyway, he played the guitar and sang (both very well I might add) (I mean, Wolverine played a mean guitar, but he didn't sing. So points to Pretty Boy.) Pretty Boy's Friend, just was just there and was the friend of Pretty Boy, like the awkward wingman. And the Banjo guy. He wasn't attractive, but he did play the banjo. He was also one of those characters who doesn't talk much.
But there were attractive men, beautiful guitars, a banjo, a harmonica, basses, a drum set, and obviously Italian men singing folk songs in English. Eventually we branched a little into the Blues realm (including my favorite, the sing along), but regardless, it was awesome. Erica, Molly, and I had more fun than you can shake a stick at. I'm totally pro this becoming a regular routine. Thursday night in Rome? This is where it all happens.
Oh yeah. Before I forget, I'm leaving for Tuscany in the morning, so I won't be posting again until Sunday night! Can you say hot springs and horseback riding? Ok good. Because that's what I'll be blogging about in 3 days.
Ok, so what I thought was going to be my major accomplishment for the day was managing to de-seed an entire pomegranate. And follow up said feat by eating it. Winner? Yes. Delicious? Yes. Full of antioxidants? Probably. I was very proud of that moment. It was a bucket-lister.
But reality told me that this was going to be no ordinary day where de-seeding and eating a pomegranate would be a triumph, oh no, this was going to be an epic day.
"How epic," you say?
Epic enough to find not only live music in Rome (near by, I might add), but also Folk and Blues live music in Rome.
DING! Winner! It was so cool! So we actually pass this place every day on the way to class, but they have a sweet little set up in the back and it was hopping. One guy was obviously in charge of who was doing what, but there were several little acts-all folk music... In English. Our favorites included: Wolverine (Erica's fav) so named because he looked like Hugh Jackman as Wolverine (good choices) and he played the guitar and bass, "Pretty Boy"-not an adequate title for this beautiful man, tall and lanky with the one stray dark curl. We originally called him "Married Boy" but turns out that it wasn't a wedding band after all. Anyway, he played the guitar and sang (both very well I might add) (I mean, Wolverine played a mean guitar, but he didn't sing. So points to Pretty Boy.) Pretty Boy's Friend, just was just there and was the friend of Pretty Boy, like the awkward wingman. And the Banjo guy. He wasn't attractive, but he did play the banjo. He was also one of those characters who doesn't talk much.
But there were attractive men, beautiful guitars, a banjo, a harmonica, basses, a drum set, and obviously Italian men singing folk songs in English. Eventually we branched a little into the Blues realm (including my favorite, the sing along), but regardless, it was awesome. Erica, Molly, and I had more fun than you can shake a stick at. I'm totally pro this becoming a regular routine. Thursday night in Rome? This is where it all happens.
Oh yeah. Before I forget, I'm leaving for Tuscany in the morning, so I won't be posting again until Sunday night! Can you say hot springs and horseback riding? Ok good. Because that's what I'll be blogging about in 3 days.
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